Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe - TripAdvisor Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe Is this attraction a good picnic spot? Yes Is this attraction a good place to visit on a honeymoon? Yes Is this attraction a romantic spot to visit? Yes Does this attraction provide visitors with a taste of the local culture? Yes Is this an outdoor attraction or activity? Yes Does this activity require advanced planning, ticketing or reservations? Yes Is this activity accessible without advanced planning or reservations? Yes Would this be a good sunny day activity? Yes Would this be a good hot day activity? Yes Would this be a good cold day activity? Yes Map updates are paused. Zoom in to see updated info. Reset zoom Address: 4632 Off B, Winchcombe GL54 5JD, England Phone Number: +44 1242 604244 Website Description: Romantic ruins, award-winning gardens and one thousand years of fascinating... Romantic ruins, award-winning gardens and one thousand years of fascinating history are among the many reasons to visit Sudeley Castle, which nestles in the Cotswold Hills in the historic town of Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, 8 miles from Broadway.

Sudeley is the only privately owned home in England to have a Queen (Katherine Parr, Henry VIII's sixth wife) buried within the grounds. With a new visitor route which includes Castle rooms - some never before opened to the public - a '20 Treasures of Sudeley Tour', plus a Cafe, play and picnic area, pheasantry and events throughout the season, there is something for everyone at this must-see Cotswolds attraction. Sudeley Castle is open seasonally from mid-March until the beginning of November. read more Terrible “Christmas Lights Spectacular ” Lovely evening, bit of confusion about where to park though. Route well lit and marked out, staff on duty all around garden. Lovely music accompanied lights and thoroughly enjoyed... read more Reviewed yesterday Home - Sudeley Castle & Gardens Home Open Daily From Monday 6th March Open Daily From Monday 6th March Open Daily From Monday 6th March Sudeley Castle & Gardens The Castle Rooms, Exhibitions, Gardens and Playground are now closed to day visitors until Monday 6th March 2017.

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Sudeley Castle & Gardens has played an important role in England’s history for over 1,000 years. Rated amongst the top attractions on TripAdvisor for ‘Things to Do in the Cotswolds’ , the castle rooms and exhibits contain many fascinating treasures, from ancient Roman times to the present day. Outside, the castle is surrounded by a breathtaking 1,200 acre estate and ten award-winning gardens. The centrepiece is the Queens Garden, so named because four of England’s queens – Anne Boleyn, Katherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I – once walked upon the original Tudor Parterre. The Pheasantry at Sudeley houses a collection of 16 rare and endangered species of birds from around the world as part of Sudeley’s programme of breeding and conservation. Sudeley Castle & Gardens is also the only private castle in England to have a queen buried within its grounds – Katherine Parr, the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. Today visitors can explore the beautiful 15th century church where she lies entombed. The whole family can explore the castle’s fascinating past and enjoy a host of exciting events throughout the year.

Children will love scaling the wooden fort and whizzing on the zip wire in the famed Adventure Playground, as well as tackling the brand new 10-piece assault course. Upcoming Events Mothers Day Afternoon Tea Make your mum feel like she’s ‘Queen of the Castle’ and treat her to an afternoon tea this Mother’s Day. After enjoying walking around the castle & award winning gardens, you will be served an extra special afternoon tea in the pavilion at the Terrace Café. Your afternoon tea will include freshly made finger sandwiches,… Sudeley Castle & Gardens - Cooks Green Holiday Cottage in Gloucestershire, South West England Sudeley Castle & Gardens Sudeley Castle by Gordon Robertson , licensed under CC BY 2.0 Sudeley Castle & Gardens, located in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, is set within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the rolling landscape of the Cotswolds. Sudeley Castle is a beautiful Grade I listed building that was built in the 15th Century and it has played a significant role in the history of England. Standing within the castle grounds is St.

Mary’s Sudeley, a chapel that would be the final resting place of Queen Catherine Parr (1512–1548), who was the sixth and last surviving wife of King Henry VIII. Many members of the household staff have reported seeing the ghostly figure of a tall woman in a green, Tudor-styled dress walking through the Queen’s garden. The spooky figure is thought to be that of Catherine Parr, who tragically died of puerperal fever at the castle, one week after giving birth to her daughter, Mary Seymour. Today, Sudeley is one of a few castles left in England that is still used as a residence, but it is also a popular visitor attraction. History The castle, including the Chapel and the Tithe Barn was originally built in 1442, by Ralph Boteler with the riches he had earned fighting in the Hundred Year’s War. In 1469 King Edward VI of England took the castle from Ralph Boteler and gave it to his brother, the Duke of Gloucester, who later became Richard III of England.

Richard used the castle during the Battle of Tewkesbury, but later exchanged Sudeley for Richmond Castle, which consequently made Sudeley the property of the crown. When Richard died at the Battle of Bosworth, Henry VII inherited the castle and he gave it to his uncle, the Duke of Bedford. When King Henry VIII took over the throne the property again became the property of the crown. When Henry VIII died, the castle fell into the hands of his son, Edward VI, who presented it to his uncle, Thomas Seymour. In 1547 Thomas Seymour married Henry VIII’s widow, Queen Catherine Parr. Catherine Parr gave birth to their daughter, Mary Seymour on 30 August 1548, but tragically died one week later. In 1728 Catherine’s grave was discovered after the grounds had been obliterated by the English Civil War. She was later buried again and a memorial tomb was erected in 1817. At the end of the Civil War, on the orders of Oliver Cromwell the castle remained neglected and derelict for nearly 200 years, before it was rescued in 1837 by wealthy businessmen; John and William Dent.

Their nephew, John Coucher-Dent inherited the castle in 1855 and it was his wife, Emma Brocklehurst who was instrumental in the restoration of the former glory of the castle. The Gardens The grounds of Sudeley Castle contains nine world-famous gardens. The main garden is called the Queens’ Garden and is so named because four English Queens; Anne Boleyn, Catherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I, all spent considerable time in the garden. Close to St Mary’s Chapel lies the White Garden which is surrounded by an enormous variety of roses. It is within the White Garden where Catherine Parr is entombed. The pattern of the Knot Garden is said to be based on a dress pattern worn by Queen Elizabeth I, which is also shown in a portrait which hangs in the castle. The Knot Garden comprises of a geometric pattern of 1,200 box hedges, and has a Moorish fountain at the centre. Other gardens in the grounds include the garden in which the Tithe Barn is situated, the Secret Garden, the Mulberry Garden and the Herb Garden Walk.

Presently the gardens are maintained by a dedicated team and Sudeley’s ethic is to manage the gardens in a manner that sustains the habitat for the insects and wildlife in the area. The Present At present Sudeley Castle is owned by Lady Elizabeth Ashcombe and her two children; Henry and Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst, who currently live in the Castle with their families and manage the castle as a visitor attraction. The castle and the gardens are open daily from 10am to 5pm. The castle currently contains three permanent exhibitions. The ‘Threads of Time’ exhibition features a range of textiles made using techniques spanning 400 years. The ‘20 Treasures of Sudeley’ exhibition contains a grand collection of art and antiques that have been collected throughout the castle’s history. The Catherine Parr Exhibition showcases copies of original books written by Catherine Parr, who was the first queen to have work published professionally. In February 2012 the remains of the body of Richard III were found in a car park in Leicester, and in April 2014 the castle was one of seven venues across the UK to host the official 3D facial reconstruction of Richard III.

A permanent Richard III exhibition can be found within the castle. The castle hosts regular events including talks from historians, family fun days, music performances and book signings. The castle is also available for weddings and corporate events and Sudeley Castle Cottages can be hired for family holidays. Share this: Not just the resting place of Katherine Parr - Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe Traveller Reviews - TripAdvisor “Not just the resting place of Katherine Parr” Reviewed 22 June 2016 I didn't realize that Sudeley Castle had so much history, it's not until you go around reading the information on display that you find out how important a place this was many centuries ago. Just a shame that Cromwell's lot reduced most of it to a ruin but it has been tastefully restored in parts which is now a home and they do let you see a lot of their home. Beautiful gardens with a very protective peacock on guard near the fountains. The church in the grounds is a must just to see the tomb (which was built by the Victorians) for Katherine Parr last wife of Henry VIII. The Castle having been her final home.

Visited June 2016 “Well worth a visit” Reviewed 21 June 2016 Being HHA members we decided to take a day out to Sudeley on what turned out to be a very wet day in June. Finding it was not that straightforward as not signed too well from the southern route we came on, but car parking etc when you do arrive is fine. The owners have made a good effort to attract the public, with a play area and useful video of the history, which is a reason we came, available just as you enter. There is a small and rather inadequate cafe at the entrance, but ignore this and go for the much larger and comprehensive one within the castle area, albeit a tad pricey. Gardens are attractive, but due to weather we did not see the full extent of them. The rooms in the castle are informative and we were surprised just how extensive they were. Some private rooms were open during our visit which we appreciated. The chapel is of interest with the remains of Catherine Parr but don't miss the stained glass windows. We travelled over an hour to get here and we're not disappointed. On a dryer day we would have seen much more but it was well worth the effort.

Visited June 2016 Ask Middledene about Sudeley Castle This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC Sian J, Guest Relations Manager at Sudeley Castle, responded to this review, 1 August 2016 Thank you for your comments, we are working on getting more roadsigns up as we are aware we are tucked away a bit but hopefully well worth the hunt plus every route to us is scenic! We hope you can come and see us again on a sunnier day. Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC Milesb1 Ask Milesb1 about Sudeley Castle This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC Sian J, Guest Relations Manager at Sudeley Castle, responded to this review, 1 August 2016 Thank you for this review - you are so right, Winchcombe is the walking capital of the Cotswolds and there are plenty of nearby footpaths and walks which afford wonderful views of the Castle.

It's good to hear that you didn't lose any children on your visit as well, hopefully they enjoyed a good run around. Do come and see us again soon. Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC Lynda F Ask Lynda F about Sudeley Castle This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC Sian J, Guest Relations Manager at Sudeley Castle, responded to this review, 1 August 2016 Thank you so much for this review - our guides are fabulous and they do put on ad hoc tours, so it was a good idea to hop on one of those as they are always worthwhile. The filming was fascinating to watch! Well done for dodging the arrows, do come and see us again soon. Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC DiscerningGuru “Historically Interesting with wonderful gardens” Reviewed 19 June 2016 Highly recommended for gardens, architecture , landscape and tudor history. We had a sunny day and the views were spectacular.

The pheasants were an added surprise to the wealth of history and well kept gardens. Worth the entry fee and perfect for a summers outing. Didn't dine at the restaurant but the visitor centre cafe was very nice break after sightseeing. Staff in the visitor centre were excellent. Younger visitor centre team very disability respectful and aware . The older volunteers around the castle not as friendly , some desperately need training a few incidents highlighted lack of awareness for visiting disabled visitors not just ourselves , one incident observed clearly upset the lady. One volunteer also exhibited xenaphobia towards overseas visitors which was a little offensive ,though I suspect unintentional ...Relief this person not volunteering for diplomatic service. Please don't let the older volunteers experience deter you as the sightseeing is amazing along with the story of Brock ! Anyone who is interested in Tudor history and gardens should visit. Handy hints : Disabled visitors have a car park nearer the castle and a gate can be opened if you seek with the visitor centre team. Disabled visitors pay but career goes free. There's some slopes and gravel paths to navigate which may be a challenge for wheelchairs. Do speak to volunteers as certain routes are more friendly if you have various levels of mobility to consider.

Visited June 2016 Ask DiscerningGuru about Sudeley Castle This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC Sian J, Guest Relations Manager at Sudeley Castle, responded to this review, 1 August 2016 Thank you for this review - full of very interesting feedback for us! We were taken aback to read these comments about the volunteers, we are so used to them being cited as a highlight of peoples' visits. We are looking into this as it is unexpected, uncharacteristic and unacceptable but yes we certainly hope unintentional. We are pleased that you enjoyed your visit overall and hope that you can come to see us again soon. Report response as inappropriate Thank you. We appreciate your input. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC Sudeley Castle, History & Photos | Historic Gloucestershire Guide St Mary's Church & Katherine Parr memorial | Photo gallery | Estate map | Past owners Sudeley Castle Sudeley Castle, near Winchcombe, is steeped in tradition and royal connections. The home of Lord and Lady Ashcombe, the manor of Sudeley once belonged to King Ethelred the Unready.

But Ethelred was only the first of a long series of monarchs and other royalty to visit Sudeley. Here Queen Katherine Parr lived and died. She is buried in the lovely chapel within the grounds that bears her name. Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, and Charles I, all stayed here. But the history of Sudeley is more interesting than just a collection of royal visitors. HISTORY The first mention of the Sudeley estate is in a 10th century charter. At that time it was part of a larger estate at Hawling. It later passed to Ethelred, who kept a royal deer park in the oak woods there. Remains of the deer park boundaries can be seen today, though nothing of Ethelred's manor has survived. Ethelred granted Sudeley to Goda, sister of Edward the Confessor. It was Goda who prevented Sudeley from being confiscated after the Norman invasion, as she was distantly related to William of Normandy. Her descendents held Sudeley through the early Norman period until 1368 when the property passed to William Boteler.

It was Boteler's descendant Thomas Boteler who was created the first Baron Sudeley in 1441. Thomas Boteler was a successful admiral who served under Henry V and Henry VI in the wars against France. With the riches he acquired from his service, Boteler rebuilt Sudeley into a comfortable country house. St Mary's church in the grounds at Sudeley Much of the building work begun by Thomas Boteler can still be appreciated today, including the Tithe Barn, St. Mary's Church, and the Banqueting Hall. Boteler also built Portmare Tower, said to be named after a captured French Admiral whose ransom money paid for the tower's construction. The powerful Boteler was forced to sell Sudeley to Edward IV when that Yorkist monarch ascended the throne. In 1469 Edward granted Sudeley to his brother Richard, Duke of Gloucester (later Richard III). Richard later traded Sudeley back to the king in exchange for Richmond Castle. The castle was later owned by Jasper Tudor before reverting to the crown. Henry VIII seems to have neglected Sudeley, though he did visit here in 1532 with Anne Boleyn.

Edward VI gave Sudeley to his uncle, Thomas Seymour, and Seymour promptly married Edward's step-mother, Queen Katherine Parr. Seymour (now Lord of Sudeley) came to Sudeley with Katherine Parr in 1548, but their brief stay ended in tragedy when Katherine died in childbirth the following year. She was buried in St Mary's church, beside the castle, with Lady Jane Grey acting as Chief Mourner. Lady Grey stayed at Sudeley until her marriage and subsequent 9 days on the throne. Mementoes of Katherine Parr are featured at Sudeley, including a portrait and a love letter written by her to Thomas Seymour where she accepts his offer of marriage. She rests in the church below a 19th century marble tomb designed by Sir Gilbert Scott. Elizabeth I is known to have visited Sudeley on three separate occassions, when she was lavishly entertained in the Banqueting Hall. The robe worn by Elizabeth at her christening is on display inside the Castle.

A reminder of one of her state visits is the Persian Knot Garden, with clipped hedges shaped into a design inspired by the dress Elizabeth wore for the painting 'Allegory of the Tudor Succession', by Lucas de Heere. Ruined walls of the Banqueting Hall THE CIVIL WAR During the Civil War the 6th Lord Chandos of Sudeley allied himself with the royalist cause and allowed the castle to be used by Prince Rupert, commander of the king's forces, as his command post. Charles I himself stayed here after his failed attempt to take Gloucester. The castle was taken briefly by Parliamentary forces, who plundered the house and wreaked havoc on the estate. After the Roundheads left, the king once again took control. An amusing - and perhaps apocryphal - tale is told that King Charles was supposed to lead a cavalry charge against his foe. The troops were ready, but no king was to be found. Prince Rupert went in search of Charles at Sudeley, only to find the king calmly playing a card game of picquet! The castle was taken again by Parliament in 1644 after a concerted attack.

The Octagon Tower still displays the marks of cannon balls used in the assault. Although Lord Chandos was allowed to ransom Sudeley after the Civil War, it was slighted (made undefendable) by Parliament in 1649. Chandos himself died of smallpox in 1655. The slighting of Sudeley destroyed much of the old house. The roof was removed and the buildings left at the mercy of the elements. For two hundred years the castle and chapel were left to rot, and local people used stone from Sudeley for their own building projects. King George III visited Sudeley in 1788 to see the ruins - and promptly fell down a flight of stairs! RESTORATION In the early 19th century the castle was used as a stable and pub. Finally the house and estate were purchased by the brothers John and William Dent, a pair of wealthy glove-makers. It is to their intervention that we owe the present Sudeley Castle. The Dents called in architect Sir Gilbert Scott to restore the chapel, they stengthened the walls and restored the interior of large sections of the castle.

The final restoration was carried out by the remarkable Lady Emma Dent, who, over a span of 45 years at Sudeley managed to fill the interior with fine art and objects associated with the long history of the estate. Some of the treasures on display at Sudeley include paintings by Rubens, Van Dyke, and JMW Turner, Civil War memorabilia, Tudor miniatures, and Jacobean embroidery. William Morris stained glass windows highlight the staircase, and in the Rupert Room is an ornately carved four-poster bed believed to have been made for Charles I. Among the needlework on display is a lovely canopy made by Anne Boleyn for her daughter Elizabeth. Look for the 'Haunted Stair', which Victorian maids refused to descend, claiming they had seen a ghost. THE GARDENS There is more to Sudeley Castle than the superb interiors and the ruined walls! The castle is surrounded by very enjoyable landscaped gardens, primarily the result of the 19th century restoration. The Queen's Garden is a model of the original Tudor parterre, and is designed to look as it would have during the time of Katherine Parr.

The gardens boast over 100 varieties of old roses, and a well-stocked garden centre is attached to the castle. Massive yew hedges give shape to the gardens. There are wildflower and nature walks, and some rather intriguing small garden areas including a scented garden and medicinal herb garden, featuring plants that were used in the medieval and Tudor periods. One of the newest areas is a Pheasantry which houses owls, pheasants and similiar species from around the world. To the north-west stand the impressive remains of the imposing medieval tithe barn, destroyed in the Civil War. Visiting Sudeley is a wonderfully atmospheric place to visit, and makes for a very enjoyable day out. I've had the pleasure of visiting on numerous occasions and always find it fascinating.

THE CASTLE AND GROUNDS Sudeley Castle - The Anne Boleyn Files Sudeley Castle Posted By Claire on September 13, 2011 Sudeley Castle, situated in the Cotswolds, near Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, is a must-see for Tudor history enthusiasts with its beautiful gardens, its history, which spans over a thousand years; its 16th century west wing and its church, which is the resting place of Catherine Parr, sixth wife of King Henry VIII. Sudeley Castle was Crown property during the reigns of Henry VII and Henry VIII and was visited by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on their progress of 1535. When Edward VI inherited it after his father’s death in 1547, he gave it to Thomas Seymour, his uncle, making Seymour 1st Baron Seymour of Sudeley. Seymour began renovation work on the castle after his marriage to Catherine Parr, Dowager Queen, and the couple used the property during Catherine’s pregnancy in 1548.

It was at Sudeley that Catherine Parr gave birth to their child, Mary, and then died after contracting puerperal, or childbed, fever. Catherine was buried in the castle’s chapel but her resting place was lost when the English Civil War caused the chapel to be left in ruins. Her grave was discovered in the 18th century and then she was eventually re-interred in 1817 in a marble tomb, complete with effigy, in St Mary’s Chapel. Lady Jane Grey, who was a ward of Thomas Seymour, and Lady Elizabeth Tudor, the future Elizabeth I and Catherine’s stepdaughter, visited the castle while the Seymours lived there and Elizabeth returned to the property as Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 when she was invited to a 3-day feast there to celebrate the anniversary of England’s victory over the Spanish Armada.

Enjoy this slideshow of photos taken of the Castle, grounds and Chapel by Felicity Boardman:- Things to See and Do at Sudeley The Gardens – Sudeley has 9 gardens: The Ruins Garden with its Banqueting Hall ruins, the oriental East Garden, the Knot Garden whose design is based on a pattern from one of Elizabeth I’s dresses, the Mulberry Garden, the Queen’s Garden which is named after the four queens who would have walked there (Anne Boleyn, Catherine Parr, Lady Jane Grey and Elizabeth I), the Secret Garden, the Tithe Barn Garden which features the 15th century Tithe Barn ruins, the Tudor Physic Garden and Herb Garden Walk with its healing herbs, the White Garden which lies alongside the Chapel and which marks the area where Catherine Parr and Lady Jane Grey would have entered the church for their daily prayers, and the Pheasantry with its rare breeds. St Mary’s Church – See the marble tomb of Catherine Parr Six Wives at Sudeley Castle – An exhibition of the replica Tudor costumes worn in David Starkey’s “The Six Wives of Henry VIII ” TV series.

Henry VIII: Romance and Intrigue – An exhibition of Tudor artefacts and murals which aim to bring to life Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s stay at the castle in 1535. Katherine Parr’s Keepsakes – An exhibition of artefacts linked to Catherine Parr, including locks of her hair, one of her teeth and a love letter written by her to Thomas Seymour. Connoisseur’s Tours – These special tours of the private apartments of the castle, which are lived in by the family, can be booked online. Enjoy this slideshow of photos taken of the six wives costumes at Sudeley. Photos taken by Felicity Boardman:- Thanks so much to Felicity for sharing her wonderful photos of Sudeley Castle. Felicity was one of the winners in our Tudor Places Calendar Competition with her lovely photo of Coughton Court. Sudeley Castle ruins are also featured in our calendar in a photo by Laurie Melton.

For further information on visiting Sudeley Castle, see Wander Sudeley Castle's magnificent gardens | VisitEngland Read more … Close × Aside from the fact that Katharine Parr lived here after avoiding the chop, this place is also a living, breathing home to the Dent-Brocklehurst family – and home to a rather exciting contemporary art collection. Much of the castle is still inhabited by the ‘Dent-Brocklehursts’ (American-born matriarch Elizabeth Lady Ashcombe and her children, Mark and Mollie), but the 16th-century East Wing – along with the gardens – are still ripe for exploration, with cutting edge sculptures scattered around the grounds. Sudeley’s survived centuries of drama and intrigue – from Oliver Cromwell’s ravaging to its WW2 transformation into a prison for Italian and German prisoners of war – but these days the only disruption comes from the weddings which regularly take place. Perhaps the glitziest was Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayer’s 2007 nuptials, which saw Elton arrive by helicopter and the Beckhams partying with Hugh Grant. No wonder it’s known as ‘the most romantic castle in England’.

SUDELEY CASTLE; The Stately Homes of the United Kingdom location Sudeley Castle xlviii. Among the documents printed in the Burghley Papers is the following statement of Lady Elizabeth Tyrwhitt, which seems to be the deposition of one of the ladies in waiting made before the Privy Council when the bill of attainder was preparing against Seymour. “A too dayes afor the deth of the Quen, at my cumyng to har in the morning, she askyd me where I had been so long, and sayed unto me, she dyd fere such things in herself that she was suer she cold not lyve: whereunto I answaryd, as I thowght that I sawe na lyklyhod of deth in har.

She then haveyng my lord admyrall by the hand, and dyvers other standing by, spake thes wardys, partly as I took hyt, idylly, ‘My lady Tyrwhitt, I am not wel handelyd, for thos that he abowt me caryth not for me, but standyth lawghyng at my gref; and the moor good I wyl to them, the les good they wyl to me;’ whereunto my lord admyrall answered, ‘why swet-hart I would you no hurt,’ and she saed to hym again aloud, ‘no my lord, I thinke so,’ and imedyetly she sayed to hym in his ere, ‘but my lord, you have given me many shrowd tauntes.’ Thos wordys I parsavwyd she spake with good memory, and very sharply and earnestly, for har mynd was for unquyetted. My lord admyrall parsevyng that I hard hyt, callyd me asyd, and askyd me what she sayd, and I declaryd hyt plainly to hym.

Then he consowltyd with me that he wold lie down on the bed by har, to loke if he could pacify har unquyetnes wit gentyl camynycacyon; whereunto I agred. And by that time he had spoken thre or four wordes to har, she answered hym very rowndly and shortly, sayeing ‘My lorde, I wolde have given a thousand markes to have had my full talk with Hewke the first day I was delyveryd, but I doorst not for displesyng of yo:’ and I heryng of that my hart wold sarve me to her no mor. Sych lyke comunycasyon she had with hym the space of an oar, wych they did hear that sat by har bed side.” “ELIZABETH TYRWHITT.” Shortly after the death of the queen, Seymour paid court to the Princess Elizabeth, but his enemies were on the alert, and fomented the disagreement between him and his brother the Protector, when he was speedily committed to the Tower, condemned without a trial, and beheaded on Tower Hill, March 20th 1549.

At his death Sudeley again reverted to the crown. It was then bestowed on the Marquis of Northampton, but he was shortly afterwards attainted for espousing the cause of Lady Jane Grey, and of course deprived of his estates. It was next granted by Queen Mary to Sir John Brydges, who was one of the foremost in her train on her entrance into London, August 3rd, 1553, and attended her to the Tower, which she then committed to his custody for his services, and he was shortly afterwards raised to the peerage by the title of Baron Chandos of Sudeley. He fought at the “battle of the Spurs.” He died on the 4th March, 1557, and was buried at Sudeley, and succeeded by his eldest son, EDMUND BRYDGES, K.G., who, like his father, engaged in military pursuits, and was knighted on the field by the Duke of Somerset, for his bravery in the battle of Musselberg. He married Lady Dorothy, daughter of Edward Lord Bray, the foundress of almshouses still standing at Winchcombe for twelve poor persons.

His son and heir, GILES, third LORD CHANDOS, lived a quiet country life, and had the honour of entertaining Queen Elizabeth at Sudeley, in one of her “Progresses,” as recorded by Nichols. On this occasion he presented Her Majesty, it being, it appears, her custom to expect some such present from her hosts, with a splendid piece of jewelry attached to a gold chain, and consisting of a falcon or pheasant, the body crystal, the head, tail, legs, and breast of gold, fully garnished with sparks of rubies and emeralds. He married Lady Frances, daughter of Edward, Earl of Lincoln, foundress of the Grammar School of Winchcombe, for fourteen scholars, natives of the place. He died in 1593, and was followed in the barony by his brother, WILLIAM BRYDGES, fourth Lord Chandos of Sudeley, married Mary, sister of Sir Owen Hopton, and was succeeded by his son. GREY BRIDGES, fifth Lord.

“This Lord,” says Collins, “was a noble housekeeper, and by a winning behaviour contracted so great an interest in Gloucestershire, and had such numerous attendants when he came to court, that he was commonly called ‘The King of Coteswold.’ For, having an ample fortune, he expended it in the most generous manner; his Castle of Sudeley being kept open three days every week for the gentry, and the poor were as constantly fed with the remnants of his hospitable entertainments. In short, his ability and disposition were so exactly proportioned to each other, that it was difficult to determine which had the greatest share in his numberless acts of beneficence.” He married Anne, eldest daughter of Ferdinand, Earl of Derby, and died in Italy in 1621, but was interred at Sudeley with his ancestors, leaving a son, George, his heir, only then a year old.

This nobleman, GEORGE, sixth LORD CHANDOS, was a distinguished cavalier, and raised a regiment of cavalry for the king, leaving his own castle guarded by Captain Brydges, which was attacked on January 1st, 1642, by Massie, Governor of Gloucester, with 300 Infantry and two pieces of Artillery. The castle was surrendered to him on certain conditions, which, though sworn to, were immediately basely broken on the part of the “Parliament Army raised for the defence of religion,” who profaned the church, and utterly wasted the goods of the poor inhabitants of that place. In the following year Lord Chandos distinguished himself at the battle of Newbury, and had three horses killed under him; he mounted a fourth, and aided much in breaking the cavalry of the Parliament.

It was feared he was running into too great danger, but Charles exclaimed, “Let Chandos alone, his errors are safe.” The king for his valour and services that day, desired to make him Earl of Newbury, but he modestly declined the offer “till it might please God to restore His Majesty to the peaceable enjoyment of his own.” He recovered his castle the same year and entrusted the command to Sir William Morton, formerly a lawyer, but then fighting as an officer for the king. Shortly afterwards King Charles visited Sudeley Castle, and remained there during the siege of Gloucester. It was afterwards again besieged by Sir William Waller and Massie, and again capitulated, a shot having taken off the head of the captain of artillery, the place being but ill provided for a siege. The castle was almost irreparably destroyed in this and the former siege, and gave occasion for the verses placed at the head of this chapter.

Lord Chandos died February 6th, 1654, (see BURKE’S “Extinct and Dormant Peerages,”) and was interred at Sudeley, and, having no son, bequeathed the greater part of his estate to Jane, his second wife, daughter of John Savage, Earl Rivers, and on her remarrying with George Pitt, Esq., of Strathfieldsaye, in Hampshire, ancestor of the Lords Rivers, the estate and manor of Sudeley passed into that family. In 1810 the then Lord Rivers sold the castle and a small part of the estate to the Duke of Buckingham.

Among the many valuable and interesting antiquities and works of art at Sudeley, are a portrait of King Henry VIII his children, by Sir Antonio More; The marriage of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York, by Mabeuse; Charles I by Vandyke; a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, by Zucchero; also the two most valuable carvings of King Henry VIII, in bone, stone, and boxwood, by Holbein; a pictra dura table weighing nearly a ton, formed of the rarest and most valuable marbles, elaborately worked in intricate devices, and enriched with turquoise, lapis lazuli, etc., the stem gracefully carved and gilt, displaying the ducal arms of Tuscany. It formerly adorned the palace at Florence of Lorenzo de Medicis. Last and chief, the autograph letter of Queen Katherine Parr to the admiral, in which she accepts him as her husband, and several relics of the Queen.

A lock of her hair, found when the tomb was re-opened a second time in July 1807, (it having been previously opened in May, 1784, and October 14th, 1786) was lent to Miss Agnes Strickland for the use of her work, by Mrs Constable Maxwell, of Everingham Park. “It was of the most exquisite quality and colour, exactly resembling threads of burnished gold in its hue. It was very fine, and with an inclination to curl naturally.” The chapel, in the early perpendicular style, built in the latter part of the reign of Henry VI, was desecrated and defaced by Cromwell and his lawless troops. It remained roofless and ivy-clad for two centuries, but in 1858 its restoration was commenced, and it has been one of Mr G. G. Scott’s most happy efforts. A canopied tomb, with a recumbent figure of Queen Katherine Parr in white marble, and an alabaster sarcophagus, have been erected, and the remains of our first Queen of the restored faith have again found a fitting resting-place.

The lover of church restoration will be well repaid by a visit to her shrine: there is not a more perfect gem in this country. A choral service is now performed on each succeeding Lord’s Day. A brass tabled near the door tells its story: “To the glory of God and to the memory of John Dent and William Dent, of Worcester and Sudeley Castle, this chapel, destroyed in the civil wars of the XVIth century, was completed by their nephew, John Coucher Dent, A.D. 1863.” In the year 1837, John Dent and William Dent, Esqrs., of the city of Worcester, gentlemen of equal liberality and taste, and who had previously purchased the greater part of the Sudeley estates, succeeded in treating with the Duke for the castle and the remainder, and “with a laudable solicitude to rescue from its impending fate so interesting and fine a monument of bygone days, - for which the country owes them a debt of gratitude, - promptly commenced work of reparation.” Published on the British Towns and Villages Network in January 2009

Question: Sudeley Castle in Gloucestershire is the resting place of which Tudor queen?
Answer: Katherine Parr